The New Britain High School Academy of Finance has been selected as one of ten academies to attend the National Academy Foundation’s 14th Annual Benefit on May 9 in New York City. This year’s benefit will honor Ajay Banga, President and CEO of Mastercard, who will sit down for an informal discussion with NAF Founder, Sandy Weill, as part of the evening. Prior to the event, students and chaperones will participate in a discussion with Banga and Weill.

Joseph Pinchera, NBHS Principal, believes this will be a great learning opportunity for the students.

“We are thrilled for our students in our NBHS Finance Academy to be selected to attend the National Academy Foundation Benefit in New York City. Our students continue to make us proud and exposure like this will only build confidence in our kids for the future.”

Each year, donors and professionals who support career academies attend this event for a memorable evening of recognition and networking. In the past, these evenings have raised as much as $1.7 million to support and sustain NAF’s mission nationally, and contributions will aid in providing programming, training, and materials for NAF teachers, directors, and students throughout the country.

Sondra Sanford, AOF Director and Assistant Coordinator of Programs and Community Partnerships at NBHS, said the students will remember this experience for the rest of their lives.

“I am excited for our students. They have worked hard and earned their spot at the National Academy Foundations Annual Benefit. We are proud of their achievements and know they will do extremely well representing New Britain High School.”

NBHS Students Tahjae Barrett, Bryant Mercado, Johnny Soto and Jaminah Walker will be presenting to representatives from America’s top companies, such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., World Wide Technology, and SAP North America about how they have used their NAF Academy experience to prepare for college and careers. They will demonstrate their knowledge as it relates to a project connected to their chosen theme or will reflect on how project-based learning experiences and internships have paved the way for their future aspirations.

Nancy Sarra, CSDNB Superintendent, is proud of Finance Academy for being selected to attend this event.

“Attending the NAF Benefit is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their hard work and network with top companies throughout the country. We congratulate our students on this accomplishment.”

This year’s 14th Annual Benefit will be held at The InterContinental New York Barclay in New York City. New Britain High School will be joined by these other academies throughout the United States:

Academy of Finance and Enterprise – Long Island City, New York

Coral Gables Senior High School – Coral Gables, Florida

Crooms Academy of Information Technology – Sanford, Florida

Ed W. Clark High School – Las Vegas, Nevada

H.D. Woodson High School – Washington, DC

Hamburg High School – Hamburg, New York

Harmony Magnet Academy – Strathmore, California

Jennings Senior High School and College Prep Academy – Jennings, Missouri

Pathways Academy of Technology and Design – East Hartford, CT

Washington High School of Information Technology – Milwaukee, Wisconsin